Fifty six men signed the declaration of Independence. Robert Morris also signed the Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution and three letters to Alexander Donald above. Went through them after lunch - was meant to be heading to the Valentine Museum today, but it will have to keep.
The letters are all fairly trade based - have included some sections below. Again, to back up Colin's comment about the previous letters - the personal details are my favourite. The reference to the night watchman and the worries about the river and ice - which must have been a serious concern for traders.
His second letter I feel might strike a chord or two in this day and age - awful irony in the picture at the bottom of the financier of the Revolution. Alexander and Morris both ended up in debtor's prison in 1800 - Alexander at King's Bench in London and Morris at Prune Street prison in Philadelphia from February 1798 to August 1801. Alexander was also released in August 1801 - but he had only done a short stretch - from December 1800. His spelling again - mostly.
Portsmouth, Feb 28th 1788
... I am sorry to observe that your purchase goes on so slowly, however I believe it will quicken before long ...The craft you mention has not yet made her appearance and the navigation of the other rivers continues to be stopped by the ice, so that little is doing here although a considerable purchase is made of much tobacco waiting on Rhappohk and Potomack River. I intend to set of tomorrow for Williamsburg and I hope for the pleasure of seeing you before long.
I am Dear sir,
You obt hble sert
Rob Morris
Philad, Decem 7 1788
... I am perfectly sensible how disagreeable it is to be in perpetual want of money having had sufficient experience of that situation latterly also it was but little known to me in former times, if it be any consolation to have companions in distress, I think I may safely assure you that there is not a Trading Man in America at this time who is not sweating under the pressure of the same kind of wants, in this city of New York there is not a man that has command of £100 beyond his immediate wants but I think the Evil like most others contains its own cure, and the pressure of difficulties will produce that industry, ???? of Exertion that will very soon create plenty of money, in the mean time we must do all we can towards it.
... Details about accounts ...
Capt Young is a good man but as Captains grow old they are less alert and I fear as you say that he was too dilatory in getting the ship over Harrisons Bar. I long to hear of him being at sea by then he will do very well, and I hope you are sending your tobacco to the ??? at Portsmouth so that she may also get quickly away.
Philad Decem 17 1788
I find the exchange is brisk in Baltimore and dull here, therefore I send by this Post £300 more of your bills to Balt, but as I observe it will be more agreeable to you I address them to Mr Arch Moncrief, requesting him to sell them immediately and send you the money ... I have been obliged to take notes, do not scold me and I will do everything I can to please. My friends in France have succeeded in past with the Farme and I shall go on, but they refused one Cargo on account of bad quality they have the Game too much in their own hands knowing that every market in Europe is shocked they are preparing to take every advantage and so use as they find a quantity in their Ports they will stop their purchase and distress the holders. It is certainly right therefore to buy as cheap as possible...
... I believe there is no danger of any of the Tobc being refused unless the quality is complained of and then it will be taken at a reduced price which I believe is the object of such Complaints. Mr Archd Gracie when here sometime ago proposed to let me have his tobacco this winter and I encouraged him to make me the offer of it. He has done so, and I confess I was at some loss how to answer him with propriety, but after telling him the situation of the French Markets, I mentioned my being under engagements to you and that I could not infringe them ... Mr Gracie is a very worthy man and I like the thoughts of dealing with him therefore if you can agree on proper terms I dare say you ... I leave matters with you to see what you can make out of it.
The watchman is crying past 11 O Clock and I think it is time to quit for this night – it is blowing frisk and N West, after a fall of snow last night and this morning, so that I am fearfull of ice in the River and I have two ships on the point of departure, Good Night, I will write you more full so soon as I can get Time
(10 years later Archibald Gracie built Gracie Mansions, the official residence of the New York Mayor)
A scene from The Apotheosis of Washington shows Morris receiving a bag of gold from Mercury, commemorating his financial services during the Revolutionary War. This is in the Rotunda of the Capital building in Washington, painted by Constantino Brumidi in 1865.
Another giant of the Revolution with whom AD was closely involved! Such are the riches of your research that we are getting blase about these revelations! Must confess I hadn't heard of Robert Morris, but Wikipedia has rectified that...
ReplyDeleteI loved these letters, especially the bit when he tells him to stop moaning about being short of money. How quaint that Alexander did that! Luckily such behaviour is a thing of the past for our generation.